LOS ANGELES, May 3 (Reuters) – The 2014 Ryder Cup may be a distant 16 months away but United States captain Tom Watson has already identified three winning qualities he needs in his 12-man team to take on holders Europe in Scotland.

Above all, Watson wants his players to have a ‘never-say-die’ attitude, the ability to thrive under pressure and also to cope well in adverse weather conditions.

LOS ANGELES, May 3 (Reuters) – The 2014 Ryder Cup may be a distant 16 months away but United States captain Tom Watson has already identified three winning qualities he needs in his 12-man team to take on holders Europe in Scotland.

Above all, Watson wants his players to have a ‘never-say-die’ attitude, the ability to thrive under pressure and also to cope well in adverse weather conditions.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – After enduring a roller-coaster season described by Hall of Famer Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson as “one of the worst” in franchise history, Los Angeles Lakers fans are scratching their heads over what may happen next.

Widely tipped as National Basketball Association (NBA) championship contenders after assembling a star-studded lineup for their 2012-13 campaign, the injury-hit Lakers were swept out of the playoffs in the opening round by the San Antonio Spurs.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – After enduring a roller-coaster season described by Hall of Famer Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson as “one of the worst” in franchise history, Los Angeles Lakers fans are scratching their heads over what may happen next.

Widely tipped as National Basketball Association (NBA) championship contenders after assembling a star-studded lineup for their 2012-13 campaign, the injury-hit Lakers were swept out of the playoffs in the opening round by the San Antonio Spurs.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – It could have been a perfect Cinderella story for guard Andrew Goudelock on his first NBA start for the Los Angeles Lakers, and he certainly did his part with an electrifying performance during the first half.

By the time it was all over, though, the injury-depleted Lakers had been crushed 120-89 by the San Antonio Spurs in Friday’s Game Three at the Staples Center to trail 0-3 in their best-of-seven first-round playoff series.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – It was the worst possible combination for the Los Angeles Lakers as their injury-depleted line-up ran into a scintillating shooting display by the San Antonio Spurs in a lop-sided Game Three on Friday.

With the ailing Lakers missing their top four guards, they were pounded 120-89 on their home court by the second-seeded Spurs to slip 3-0 behind in their best-of-seven first-round playoff series.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – The struggling Los Angeles Lakers suffered yet another morale-sapping injury setback on Thursday with the news that backup guard Steve Blake will miss Friday’s Game Three against the visiting San Antonio Spurs.

Blake, who has produced good form since shooting guard Kobe Bryant was ruled out for the rest of the season following Achilles tendon surgery, was diagnosed with a moderate strain of his right hamstring after having an ultrasound test.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – All-Stars Chris Paul and Blake Griffin usually command the spotlight for the Clippers but if the Los Angeles team goes deep into this season’s playoffs, it will be because of the high-octane energy of their bench.

Spearheaded by former Sixth Man-of-the-Year Jamal Crawford, the Clippers reserves are arguably the best in the NBA, time and again giving their first unit welcome relief as they explode into action with their up-tempo style.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Renowned for their dunks and “Lob City” style, Chris Paul and the Los Angeles Clippers reverted to a more physical approach to outmuscle the Memphis Grizzlies 112-91 in their playoff opener on Saturday.

Six-times All Star point guard Paul scored a game-high 23 points on seven-of-11 shooting, along with seven assists, as the Clippers drew first blood in their best-of-seven Western Conference first-round series.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Steve Nash gave the Los Angeles Lakers a welcome boost on Friday when he said he was “very optimistic” he would play in Saturday’s Game One of their first-round playoff series against the Spurs in San Antonio.

The 39-year-old point guard missed the last eight games of the regular season because of back and hip problems but pronounced himself happy after going through a series of five-on-five sessions in team practice on Friday.